Keep It Simple

Doran Sensei's class this week focused on kata dori nikyo, breaking it down into all the little pieces that go into the technique. Stepping off the line of attack, atemi to the face, drawing out the arm on the grabbed side, lowering your center, scooping in, taking the elbow, going for the third point to take uke's center.

It's a lot to remember. Where do my feet go? Where do my hands go? How do I not get clocked by uke?

Then he summed it up in two steps:

1. Take uke's balance.
2. Take uke's balance.

And, when in doubt, refer to step 3:

Don't lose your own balance.